PARENT PERMISSION FORM ATTACHED

After school Art Expression Activity- Mellon Middle School

                                                            March, 2005 

Dear Parents,

Your child has expressed an interest in and/or has been referred by a teacher or counselor to participate in an after school Art Expression activity.  This student group will be meeting at Mellon Middle School on Tuesdays from 3:15 – 4:30 pm for six weeks, beginning April 5, 2005.  The activity will be co-facilitated by Mt. Lebanon School District staff, Cate Jordaan and Ms. Stacey DeLasAlas, a Certified Art Therapist from Seton Hill College.

An informational session will be held in the Art room for students on Tuesday, March 29th from 3:15 - 4:00 pm in order to provide your child with more details about activities and answer any questions.  All interested students must attend this meeting.

The focus of the after school Art Expression activity will be to provide opportunities for students with varied abilities in social, behavioral and academic areas to develop/practice social skills required for appropriate interactions with peers and adults, while serving as an alternative for personal expressions in a small, supportive environment.

In addition to having fun with peers and enjoying art as a means of expressions, expected outcomes for students would include an increase in self esteem, as evidenced by positive statements about self, the development/enhancement of social skills through participation in a group, utilization of problem solving strategies to reach an appropriate resolution, increase in tolerance for frustrations experienced in a group setting and to establish independence by putting themselves forward in an appropriate manner.

If you have any questions regarding your child’s participation in the after school Art Expression activity, please talk with your child’s school counselor, or call me at the Student Support Services Office (412)344-2195.

Please sign and return the attached permission with your child by March, 29 2005

Sincerely,

Kevin Monahan

Inclusion Specialist

Mt. Lebanon School District